Kant's Jealousy

In Kant’s Jealousy, Malice, and Ingratitude he writes that there are two methods by which men arrive at an opinion of their worth, by comparing themselves with the idea of perfection and by comparing themselves with others. Kant favors the first comparison over the latter suggesting that by comparing ourselves to perfect it is a constant and therefore we can move ourselves closer by improvement. In comparing ourselves to others however, this is not a constant in that there are many variables that that influences one’s perception of the other. Kant also suggests that in order to increase one’s own worth one will diminish another so that they can regard himself as superior. For, Kant this is the root of jealousy or grudging. Jealousy for Kant …show more content…
In Tolstoy’s parable we meet Pahom, a man discontent with is portion and who becomes consumed with jealousy. Early on in the work, Pahom avowals that if he had enough land he would not fear even fear the devil. It is in this act that Pahom untimely rejects God as his ultimate source of provision and takes his destiny under his own advises. As the parable progresses, Pahom’s greed increasingly consumes him leading him to desire more and more land. This boundless desire has causes disputes with his neighbors, as he is envious of their land. This first took place when a lady who owned about three hundred acres decided to sell her hand. During the buying and selling, Pahom learned that a neighbor bought fifty acres. Pahom, in a moment of envy, also wants to buy at least forty acres so that he can as much land if not more than his neighbors. Another instance where this occurred happened when Pahom met a stranger from a distant land. It was from this stranger where he learned of a land that was “good that the corn sown on it grew as high as a horse and was very thick,” and after learning of this Tolstoy writes, “Pahom’s heart filled with desire. He thought: “Why should I suffer in this narrow hole, if men can live so well in other places?” Whenever there is an opportunity to gain more land, Pahom, full of greed, moves to the other land to satisfy himself. However, no matter where he moves, he is not satisfied with what he accumulated. Pahom always seems to learn of someone else who has more or better land than he which untimely drives him to seek out greater assets even though what he originally had was